• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.53-58
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• 2010

Purpose: To find the most effective method for extraction of cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) from maternal plasma, we compared a blood DNA extraction system (blood kit) and a viral DNA extraction system (viral kit) for non-invasive first-trimester fetal gender determination. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted with maternal plasma collected from 44 women in the first-trimester of pregnancy. The cf-DNA was extracted from maternal plasma using a blood kit and a viral kit. Quantitative fluorescent-polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) was used to detect the SRY gene and AMEL gene. The diagnostic accuracy of the QF-PCR results was determined based on comparison with the final delivery records. Results: A total of 44 women were tested, but the final delivery record was only obtained in 36 cases which included 16 male-bearing and 20 female-bearing pregnancies. For the blood kit and viral kit, the diagnostic accuracies for fetal gender determination were 63.9% (23/36) and 97.2% (35/36), respectively. Conclusion: In non-invasive first-trimester fetal gender determination by QF-PCR, using a viral kit for extraction of cf-DNA may result in a higher diagnostic accuracy.

• The KIPS Transactions:PartA
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• v.11A no.5
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• pp.383-390
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• 2004

This paper propose a method that controls facial expression of 3D avatar by having the user select a sequence of facial expressions in the space of facial expressions. And we setup its system. The space of expression is created from about 2400 frames consist of motion captured data of facial expressions. To represent the state of each expression, we use the distance matrix that represents the distances between pairs of feature points on the face. The set of distance matrices is used as the space of expressions. But this space is not such a space where one state can go to another state via the straight trajectory between them. We derive trajectories between two states from the captured set of expressions in an approximate manner. First, two states are regarded adjacent if the distance between their distance matrices is below a given threshold. Any two states are considered to have a trajectory between them If there is a sequence of adjacent states between them. It is assumed . that one states goes to another state via the shortest trajectory between them. The shortest trajectories are found by dynamic programming. The space of facial expressions, as the set of distance matrices, is multidimensional. Facial expression of 3D avatar Is controled in real time as the user navigates the space. To help this process, we visualized the space of expressions in 2D space by using the multidimensional scaling(MDS). To see how effective this system is, we had users control facial expressions of 3D avatar by using the system. As a result of that, users estimate that system is very useful to control facial expression of 3D avatar in real-time.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.193-200
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• 2011

Purpose : The effect of corticosteroid on severe pneumonia caused by 2009 pandemic influenza (H1N1) A virus is controversial. This study was aimed to present the effects of early, short-term corticosteroid treatment for severe pneumonia with this virus infection. Methods : A retrospective analysis was performed on severe pneumonia patients (37 patients) who had severe respiratory distress at presentation requiring oxygen therapy and received intravenous methylprednisolone (MP, 8-10 mg/kg, divided in 4 doses/day for 2-3 days) with oseltamivir. The clinical and laboratory characteristics of the patients were evaluated through the medical records and chest radiographic findings. Results : The mean age and male-to-female ratio of the patients were 6.5${\pm}$2.9 years of age, and 3.4:1 (male 29 patients), respectively. The 5-9 aged group was predominant among the age groups (25 patients, 67.6%). Duration of fever prior to admission was 1.4${\pm}$0.6 days and dyspnea developed within 24 h after beginning of respiratory symptoms in all patients. All patients were previously healthy and received oseltamivir within 48 h. Thirteen patients (35.1%) developed dyspnea during oseltamivir treatment. Following MP infusion, all 37 patients including 13 progressive pneumonia patients during oseltamivir treatment showed an immediate halt in the progression of pneumonic infiltration with rapid clinical improvement. There were no side-effects following steroid use. Conclusion : For severe pneumonia patients, early corticosteroid treatment halted clinical exacerbation, and possibly prevented progression to acute respiratory distress syndrome. Further controlled clinical studies are needed for the role of corticosteroids and antivirals on severely affected patients with influenza virus infections.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.154-162
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• 2016

The aim of this study was to develop a transgenic petunia with enhanced resistance to sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$) gas by stacking two genes, SOD2 and NDPK2, which are both known to confer resistance to abiotic stresses. The first-generation hybrids ($TF_1$) were obtained through reciprocal crosses between an SOD2-transgenic line SOD2-2-1-1-35($T_4$)[S($T_4$)] and an NDPK2-transgenic line NDPK2-7-1($T_2$)[N7-1($T_2$)]. Approximately 32.1-73.0% of the first-generation hybrids ($TF_1$) carried both SOD2 and NDPK2 genes. These hybrids showed 2.6 and 5.1 times less damage than hybrids carrying only SOD2 or NDPK2 genes, respectively, when they were treated with $SO_2$ gas at 30 ppm. This confirmed that the heterozygous hybrids were more resistant to $SO_2$ than the hybrids carrying either one of the resistance genes. Second-generation hybrids ($TF_2$) were obtained by selfing the $TF_1$ individuals. We confirmed the expression of the stacked genes in the $TF_2$ hybrids by phenotypic observation of their response to $SO_2$ gas at 30 ppm as well as using RT-qPCR and photosynthetic efficiency.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of multiple application of all-in-one dentin adhesive system on microtensile bond strength to caries-affected dentin. Twenty one extracted human molars with occlusal caries extending into mid-dentin were prepared by grinding the occlusal surface flat. The carious lesions were excavated with the aid of caries detector dye. The following adhesives were applied to caries-affected dentin according to manufacturer's directions; $Scotchbond^{TM}$ Multi-Purpose in SM group, Adper Prompt $L-Pop^{TM}$ 1 coat in LP1 group, 2 coats in LP2 group, 3 coats in LP3 group, $Xeno^{(R)}$ III 1 coat in XN1 group, 2 coats in XN2 group. and 3 coats in XN3 group. After application of the adhesives, a cylinder of resin-based composite was built up on the occlusal surface. Each tooth was sectioned vertically to obtain the $1{\times}1\;mm^2$ sticks. The microtensile bond strength was determined. Each specimen was observed under SEM to examine the failure mode. Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA. The results of this study were as follows; 1. The microtensile bond strength values were; SM ($14.38{\pm}2.01$ MPa), LP1 ($9.15{\pm}1.81$ MPa), LP2(14.08{\pm}1.75$ MPa), LP3 ($14.06{\pm}1.45$ MPa). XN1 (13.65{\pm}1.95$ MPa). XN2 ($13.98{\pm}1.60$) MPa, XN3 ($13.88{\pm}1.66$) MPa, LP1 was significantly lower than the other groups in bond strength (p < 0.05). All groups except LP1 were not significantly different in bond strength (p > 0.05). 2. In LP1, there were a higher number of specimens showing adhesive failure. Most specimens of all groups except LP1 showed mixed failure.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.92-100
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• 2021

Purpose: Rapid detection of etiologic organisms is crucial for initiating appropriate therapy in patients with central nervous system (CNS) infection. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of the BioFire^® Meningitis/Encephalitis (ME) panel in detecting etiologic organisms in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from febrile infants. Methods: CSF samples from infants aged <90 days who were evaluated for fever were collected between January 2016 and July 2019 at the Seoul National University Children's Hospital. We performed BioFire^® ME panel testing of CSF samples that had been used for CSF analysis and conventional tests (bacterial culture, Xpert^® enterovirus assay, and herpes simplex virus-1 and -2 polymerase chain reaction) and stored at -70℃ until further use. Results: In total, 72 (24 pathogen-identified and 48 pathogen-unidentified) CSF samples were included. Using BioFire^® ME panel testing, 41 (85.4%) of the 48 pathogen-unidentified CSF samples yielded negative results and 22 (91.7%) of the 24 pathogen-identified CSF samples yielded the same results (enterovirus in 19, Streptococcus agalactiae in 2, and Streptococcus pneumoniae in 1) as those obtained using the conventional tests, thereby resulting in an overall agreement of 87.5% (63/72). Six of the 7 pathogen-unidentified samples were positive for human parechovirus (HPeV) via BioFire^® ME panel testing. Conclusions: Compared with the currently available etiologic tests for CNS infection, BioFire^® ME panel testing demonstrated a high agreement score for pathogen-identified samples and enabled HPeV detection in young infants. The clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of BioFire^® ME panel testing in children must be evaluated for its wider application.